Czech Alphabet
The Czech alphabet consists of the following letters (including accented characters that are considered distinct letters in Czech):
In Czech, the acute accent (čárka) and ring (kroužek) are diacritical marks that modify how letters are pronounced, affecting their length or sound.
The caron (háček) is a diacritical mark (ˇ) used in the Czech alphabet to modify letters and change their pronunciation. It often transforms a letter into a soft (palatalized) or different sound altogether. This is a key feature of the Czech language, as these modified letters often distinguish entirely different words.
The Czech letter Ř (ř) is one of the most unique and challenging sounds in the Czech language. It's a distinctive feature of Czech and is often considered a hallmark of native pronunciation. It's a rolled 'r' followed by a slight 'ž' sound.
Ch is a combination of two letters, C and H, that together make one sound. In the Czech language, it's counted as just one letter. CH is unvoiced (pronounced without using your voice), although some people might say it more forcefully, which makes it sound like they're using their voice.
- Listen to audio samples and repeat each letter out loud.
- Practice simple syllables, paying attention to Czech vowel lengths (short vs. long).
- Pair consonants with vowels to create short words.
- Record yourself reading a short list of random Czech letters to compare your pronunciation progress over time.